Adieu.....

All my bags are packed, am ready to go !

Am bidding goodbye to my home of 150 days today. The feelings are mixed. Staybridge Suite 206 has been my pad and I will miss every moment of my comfort living here. At the same time, the excitement of moving to my own apartment gives me a ‘high’. I have most of the essentials already set and have some more shopping to do.

“When one thing ends, something else begins….” And this is so apt at this very moment.

Here’s to a new home in the new year….. Cheers !!!

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

When I landed in DFW on 13 Aug 2009, little did I know that I would find a friend for life.

With each passing year as I grew up, I began to believe that it was increasingly difficult to find true friends. My belief was that the new acquaintances that I made would remain as acquaintances.

My 4 month stint in Irving proved my whole belief wrong. My first dinner in Irving began with a drive in a black Volkswagen to Carino’s. Its 4 months since…. whether it’s a hair-cut at Sports Clips, grocery shopping at Walmart / Kroger’s, late nite movie shows, trips to Austin – Houston & Oklahoma, pick up and drops to the airport every time I travelled out of DFW, a couple of dozen home-made dinners, or my visit to the Shiridi Sai Baba Mandir on my birthday, its been the same black Volkswagen that has been my ‘vahan’.

I write this blog to respect the thought and deeds of a friend who has always been there for me in this new country. A friend who has never shrugged his shoulders to help me in many ways, without my asking for help or support.

Its truly rare to find such a genuine friend. As Douglas Pagels says, “A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be”. I will strive to be a genuine friend to the owner of the black Volkswagen.

Friendship isn’t a big thing, anyways – it’s a million little things. Am happy to have people around me who can fill my life with million little things J.

Counting my blessings.....

It’s that day of the year and am back here. I am contemplating on changing the name of my blog to ‘The Birthday Blog’, considering this being the only time I actually return :D

“It’s a nice feeling when someone thinks about you, but it feels much better when you know that someone can never forget your birthday”

Dec 5, 2009 has been a birthday with a lot of difference and excitement. Am still away from home, family and friends. Yet, being in Irving made a lot of difference. My friends here organized a midnite cake cutting and out came the awesome gift – a super smart long-coat, right for my winter travels J.

It definitely is the longest birthday I have celebrated till date. My birthday started at 1230 pm Central time on 4^th December, when friends from India called to wish me at midnite, Indian time. Its 1000 am here on the 5^th, and I have the whole day ahead making it a 36 hour birthday. Wow, I am doubly blessed J

The day has been filled with phone calls, text messages and most importantly Facebook posts with a lot of good wishes piling on ‘my wall’. A deep sense of happiness and content has been working on my facial muscles and that perpetual smile prevails thru the day.

MM, Patti, Funny, Rumzz – If you are reading this, here is a big thank you for making my day.

Gundu – For being my Birthday Bud and making that first call to wish me

And to all of you who remembered me today – its these small things that make life worth living. As I end this, I being to count my blessings again……..

(lyrics of ‘Count your blessings’ came to my mind)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.